The Minority Women Caucus in Parliament has strongly denounced derogatory remarks reportedly made by Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, targeting Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate to the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, allegedly made disparaging comments suggesting that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was secretly married to Mr. Mahama and hailed from the Northern Region, rather than the Central Region.
During a press conference at Parliament House on Monday, Madam Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, the Deputy Minority Whip and Vice Chair of the Female MPs Caucus, condemned Mr. Antwi-Boasiako's remarks and issued a seven-day ultimatum for him to publicly retract and apologize to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang and all women in Ghana.
Madam Cudjoe recalled a similar derogatory statement made by Mr. Antwi-Boasiako against Prof. Opoku-Agyemang in July 2020 when she was first nominated as the NDC's running mate for the 2020 general election. She emphasized the unacceptability of such remarks and called for accountability from Mr. Antwi-Boasiako and the NPP.
Describing the alleged comments as disgraceful, Madam Cudjoe emphasized that they undermined the integrity of political discourse and reflected poorly on both Mr. Antwi-Boasiako and the NPP. She urged them to focus on addressing pressing national issues, including the economy, and fulfilling their promises to Ghanaians.
As representatives of the people and advocates of gender equality, Madam Cudjoe stressed the importance of standing united in denouncing such reprehensible behavior and holding perpetrators accountable. She called for a public apology from Mr. Antwi-Boasiako and urged him to refrain from making further derogatory remarks.